The Minnesota Vikings nearly pulled off a big comeback in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they ultimately fell just short, suffering a 24-21 loss. Now, they will take on the Cleveland Browns in another overseas matchup, and it appears their offensive line is going to be quite shorthanded for this one.
A big reason the Vikings found themselves in a deficit against the Steelers is that several members of their offensive line suffered injuries along the way. Despite having a full week to recover, this unit is still very banged up, and it led to Minnesota being dealt some unfortunate news on Friday ahead of its clash with Cleveland.
Vikings Rule Out Four Offensive Linemen for Browns Contest
Injuries have hit the Vikings hard to begin the 2025 campaign, and while they have managed to win two of their first four games, things are only going to get more difficult for them if they can’t get healthy. Unfortunately, for them, that appears to be precisely what is happening for their upcoming game against the Browns.
Throughout the week, left guard Donovan Jackson, center Ryan Kelly, and right tackle Brian O’Neill have all been dealing with injuries. Considering how all three of them are starters, this was obviously quite concerning for Minnesota. Add in Michael Jurgens, who is the top backup for Kelly at center, and these injury issues are a recipe for disaster for the Vikings.
The nightmare scenario is that all four of these guys would end up being unable to play in Week 5. Well, that nightmare scenario has come true, as head coach Kevin O’Connell ruled them all out on Friday morning, meaning that the Vikings’ depth is going to get tested early and often against a dangerous Browns‘ defensive front.
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell says FB CJ Ham, Edge Tyler Batty and RB Zavier Scott are QUESTIONABLE. Also OUT: LG Donovan Jackson, C Ryan Kelly, C Michael Jurgens, QB J.J. McCarthy, RT Brian O’Neill and Edge Andrew Van Ginkel,” Alec Lewis of The Athletic shared in a post on X.
Who Will Start for the Vikings’ Offensive Line in Week 5?
GettyChristian Darrisaw #71 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before facing the New York Giants.
With these four guys out, that leaves Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries as the only two healthy starters for the Vikings on their offensive line. Jurgens being out also complicates things, as he’d fill in for Kelly if he were healthy. That means that third-string center Blake Brandel is going to have to get the start, with Joe Huber filling in at left guard and Walter Rouse starting at right tackle.
It’s not an ideal situation to be going up against a defensive front led by Myles Garrett with so many starters inactive, but that’s the situation the Vikings find themselves in ahead of this contest. With Dillon Gabriel getting his first NFL start for Cleveland against Minnesota’s stingy defense, though, they should still have a shot to come out on top. With this game taking place in London, England, kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday morning.
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